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R&R Insurance Blog

Home Security for the Holidays

Posted by the knowledge brokers

iStock-641307790Going on vacation or visiting in-laws for the holidays? Here are some great tips to “Home-Alone” proof your house that don't involve leaving a mischievous child to set-up traps and pranks to deter burglars.

1. Get a Quality Deadbolt
A good lock system can deter most people from trying to break into your home. A deadbolt that is certified by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association and the American National Standards Institute, with grades of 1 through 3.

2. Get a House-Sitter
Preferably not Kevin McCallister from “Home Alone." Instead, enlist in a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to stop by, check on the house. It will appear someone is home if their car is in the driveway frequently. =

3. Notify the Post Office
Tell the local Post Office of your plans to travel, and request that they stop sending mail to your house for the duration of your trip. A full mailbox is a huge red flag to burglars looking for a vacant home!

4. Get Electric Light Timers
Place electric light timers in various rooms of your house. Lights will give the appearance that someone is home. If you do this, be sure to notify your neighbors so they don’t mistake the lights for intruders.

5. Hire Someone to Shovel
If you will be gone during snowfall season (which in Wisconsin is very likely), hire someone to shovel your driveway. A driveway that goes un-shoveled for two or three days after a snowstorm is a huge indicator that no one is at home, even if you do all of the above items.

6. Be Careful What You Post on Social Media
While it can be exciting to share an update of the beautiful beach you're sitting on, or the gorgeous snowfall you're enjoying, be careful what you post on social media. If your posts are public (and even if they're private) you could be letting a whole lot of people know your home is empty!

Before you leave on vacation, try to put together a quick checklist of the security measures you want to implement. HINT: all the items on this list should be on it! The list serves as a great reminder right before you leave to have the relaxing and stress-free holiday you deserve!

 

Topics: Personal Insurance

Keep Your Vacation Home Water Tight All Year Long

Posted by the knowledge brokers

Water tight vacation homeDid You Know? Water is the top preventable cause of damage to American homes — more than fire and theft. However approximately one in every 55 insured homes has a water/freezing claim each year.

Our friends at Nationwide shared an article about the importance of protecting your vacation home during the offseason.

Seasonal and vacation homes are at greater risk of water damage due to prolonged periods of inoccupancy. Undetected, the amount of water damage from a water leak in a secondary home compared to your primary home can be astronomical. However, with proper maintenance and oversight, you can reduce your risk of experiencing an extremely inconvenient loss from water damage to your secondary home.

Nationwide recommends the following tips to help prevent water damage:

  • Keep your thermostat set at no less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months.
  • Hire a professional caretaker or contract with a local building contractor to check on your vacation house and make sure the temperature is warm enough to keep pipes from bursting.
  • Consider shutting off the water and draining the plumbing system before leaving your home for extended periods of time.
  • Enhance your central station alarm system to include temperature monitoring. Your alarm company will notify you or your caretaker if the temperature in your house falls below a pre-determined limit.
  • Consider having a wireless and programmable thermostat, such as Nest, installed as a lower cost option for temperature monitoring. This device can communicate the temperature at your vacation home with your smart phone.
  • Consider installing an emergency electrical generator to operate the heating system when the power fails during winter storms.

For more information on properly protecting your vacation home this winter, contact a KnowledgeBroker at R&R Insurance.

Topics: Personal Insurance

Making Big Changes? Don't Forget to Contact Your Insurance Agent

Posted by the knowledge brokers

iStock-539841066.jpgWe recently had a Personal Insurance client report an auto claim to us. After we made sure the client was not injured, we took a deep breath and started the process of submitting a claim. The submission process typically includes gathering details of the accident and getting the appropriate insurance carrier involved.

While submitting the information to the insurance company, we realized that the client’s car involved in the accident was not on their auto insurance policy. Our client was under the impression the car dealership would contact us to add the new car and take off the car they had traded in. Unfortunately, R&R was never contacted.

This is a friendly reminder to you, our valued customer.  If something happens in your life (i.e., you buy something, you sell something, you are considering buying a certain breed of dog, or if you just want to talk about the Packers, Brewers or Bucks), contact R&R and we can talk you through the process. We are not here to sell you coverages you don’t need or want, but we will only provide knowledge to you so you can make great decisions.  That’s just another reason why we are known as The Knowledge Brokers.

Topics: Personal Insurance

How To Prevent Ice Dams

Posted by the knowledge brokers

iStock-539106517The freeze-thaw combination we experience during winter creates ice dams that will send water down interior walls of your home when it melts. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation etc. A key indication that there is an ice dam problem is the appearance of large icicles hanging from the roof's edge.

 

Preventing Ice Dams

Ice dams can be prevented by controlling the heat loss from the home.

Immediate action:

  • Remove snow from the roof. You will need a "roof rake" to remove the snow. (View video for demonstration) A push broom can be used as well, but may damage the roofing materials.

Long-term action:

  • Seal up any air leakage between the house and attic space
  • Increase the ceiling/roof insulation

Interior damage should not be repaired until ceilings and walls are dry. In addition, interior repair should be done together with correcting the heat loss problem that created the ice dam or the damage will occur again.

Wisconsin residents, watch the video below or contact knowledgebroker, Dan Wolfgram for more information and more ways to prevent ice dams!

Topics: Personal Insurance, melting snow, water creates ice dam, prevent ice dams, large icicles hanging from roof, preventing ice dams, freeze-thaw combination, ice dams, roof rake

Are you overpaying to be under insured?  Survey says: Yes

Posted by the knowledge brokers

Garbage-of-cash.jpgAs a financially successful individual, you have proven yourself to be money savvy – saving when you can and investing wisely.  But are you spending your hard-earned wealth wisely when it comes to insurance?  


Chubb® conducted a survey of more than 600 independent insurance brokers and asked if their clients were over or underinsured with their previous mass-carrier insurance for 21 types of coverage.  The results showed that a non-personalized insurer does not appear to be doing their due diligence when it comes to their client’s financial security.

According to the survey, 63% of independent insurance agents were able to insure a new client properly and keep the annual premium at no more than 5% above the mass-carrier price.  In half the cases, it was less.  

But what were the top areas where clients were overpaying? 

  • Having deductibles that were too low
  • Failing to earn package discounts
  • Not getting premium credits for alarm systems and other loss prevention devices
This is why I continually ask my clients to consider how much they could pay for a loss without significantly affecting their lifestyle, and then provide an estimate on the premium savings they could achieve.  In most cases, the savings can be substantial.

And what about underinsuring?  Coverage for umbrella liability, valuable collections, uninsured/underinsured liability, and rebuilding a damaged home remained the most likely underinsured risks, with a shocking 92% being underinsured in the category of umbrella liability.  This is especially frightening when you consider that in 2008, $29 million was awarded to the family of a four-year-old boy who suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury while riding as a passenger in a vehicle  involved in a head-on collision.

I have personally run into situations that mirror the results of this survey.  I often meet with individuals who are underinsured or incorrectly insured with their current insurance carrier.  Many insurance carriers in the mainstream market simply cannot provide the types of coverage that an affluent individual needs.  These individuals often own assets that could be covered more effectively and for less premium if they were with the proper carrier.

This is why I’m so proud to be an Independent Insurance Agent. Because of the multiple facets that comprise your lifestyle, there are more variables available for adjusting coverage in order to keep you properly insured and not paying too much. And since R&R represents multiple markets, I am confident that one of our luxury insurance carrier partners will be the perfect fit for you and your needs.

10 Questions:  Are You Overpaying to be Underinsured?

Topics: Personal Insurance

Why Am I Paying More for Auto Insurance?

Posted by the knowledge brokers

Have you ever wondered why your auto insurance increases year after year? If you've ever found yourself asking the question, "Why am I paying more for auto insurance," take a look at the graphic below. There are more reasons than you might realize.

Hanover on auto insurance rates.jpg

Contact a KnowledgeBroker for more information about the recent auto trends and to make sure you have the right coverage.

Content provided by Hanover Insurance.

Topics: Personal Insurance

How To Avoid Snow Blower Injuries | Snow Blower Safety Tips

Posted by the knowledge brokers

SnowblowerThe Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates there are 5,740 hospital emergency room injuries a year caused by snow blowers. The CPSC reports 19 deaths since 1992 from using snow blowers. Five deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning because someone left the engine running in an enclosed area.

 

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand, reminds us that accidents can happen when using a snow blower.

 

Injury Profile:

  • Average age: 44 years
  • Sex: Male
  • 90% of injuries: dominant hand
  • Amputations of tips of fingers
  • Middle finger most commonly injured

 

Injury Causes:

  • Snow clogging the exit chute of the machine
  • Not noticing that the impeller blades are still rotating even though the machine is off
  • Operator attempts to clean the clogged exit chute with hands
  • Hands connect with the rotating blades, resulting in severe injury snow blowers are safe if used properly

 

If Your Snow Blower Jams:

  • Turn it OFF!
  • Disengage clutch.
  • Wait five seconds after shutting machine off to allow impeller blades to stop rotating.
  • ALWAYS use a stick or broom handle to clear impacted snow.
  • NEVER put your hand down chute or around blades.
  • Keep all shields in place. DO NOT REMOVE the safety devices on the machine.
  • Keep hands and feet away from all moving parts.
  • Keep a clear head, concentrate
  • DO NOT DRINK before using your snow blower!

 

Three Snow Blower Safety Tips:

  • Never put your hands inside the snow blower chute for any reason. If the chute becomes clogged with snow (or another object), turn it off, wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop and then clear the chute with a stick. It may be frigid outside but don't risk not shutting off your machine to clear an object, because once you clear the obstruction, the parts will start to move again!
  • Dress properly for the job. Be sure to wear adequate winter clothing and footwear that will improve footing on slippery surfaces. Wear safety glasses, and avoid any loose fitting clothing that could get caught in moving parts. Be careful of long hair. Wear ear plugs or other ear protection - they are loud!
  • Remove debris and other obstacles (door mats, toys, decorations) the snow blower might strike or throw, as they may cause injury or damage to the snow blower.

 

Wisconsin residents, contact an R&R knowledgebroker about your current home and auto coverage, or any questions you might have for us at R&R Insurance!

Topics: Personal Insurance, snow blower safety tips, snoblower injuries, snoblower safety tips, snowblower jams, when using a snowblower, cpsc, snow blower

Speed Skater Apolo Ohno Used To Keep His Medals in His Sock Drawer!

Posted by Resource Center

iStock-1169144593

Insuring precious metal - like gold or silver - is one thing, but when it's cast into a priceless Olympic medal, and won with the dedication of a supreme athlete - it's a different story. Luckily, Olympian's today are covered by a special policy for the Olympic athletes - in case their medals are lost or stolen, but that protection hasn't always been there. Many Olympians have had their medals stolen, or damaged in transport from one speaking enagagement to another.

Based on the amounts of precious metals used in the Olympic medals, a gold medal would be worth about $632, a silver medal $367, and a bronze medal less than $5.

Speed skater Apolo Ohno used to keep his eight medals in a sock drawer! Precious Medals: Olympians treasure their trophies (and dread having them stolen).

If you do have something as precious as an Olympic medal, how do you insure it?

If you own something that is irreplaceable like an Olympic medal, you would want to schedule it under your homeowners policy with an “other” category.

You and the insurance company will need to come to some sort of “agreed value” for the object. You would need to provide a complete description and most likely a photo of the object you want to insure. It is highly suggested that you also review your schedules with your knowledgebroker on a yearly basis.

Wisconsin residents, for more information about your homeowner’s policy or special coverages for your priceless items, contact a knowledgebroker today.

Topics: Personal Insurance, insuring sochi medals, insuring precious medals, stolen olympic medals, insuring precious metals, sochi medals insured, sochi 2014 medals, insuring olympic medals

Warming Up Your Car On a Cold Day: Myths vs. Facts

Posted by the knowledge brokers

Car-WinterWe've all heard it before, "Make sure you let you car warm up in cold weather." But is there truth to that statement? Or is it just a convenience to hop into an already defrosted vehicle? Does letting your car idle prevent wear and tear on your engine, or simply waste gas?

 

Our partners at West Bend Mutual shared an article about the common myths and facts of warming up your car on a cold day. Here's an example of their findings:

 

Myth – It’s a good practice to let my car idle (warm) on cold days.

 

Fact – The only reason to idle a car is to circulate the engine oil. Experts recommend letting your car idle 10 – 30 seconds; there are no benefits to letting your engine idle any longer. The best way to bring your engine up to operating temperature is to gently drive your car. By simply driving your car, the engine and its components (brakes, transmission, etc.) will warm up faster which allows your car to run more efficiently.

 

Dan's Reality – Despite the benefits it may or may not provide, there's nothing better than getting into a car with defrosted windows, warm seats, and hot air blowing through the vents. A remote starter has been one of the best decisions I've made to get through Wisconsin winters. (Note: Don't forget to keep your car locked while you're letting it warm up!)

 

Click here to read to read the full list of myths vs. facts from West Bend Mutual.

Topics: Personal Insurance

Real Life Example: Sump Pump Denial Reversed

Posted by Brian Bean

As ouSump-Pumpr Executive Claims Consultant, I frequently assist clients and insurance company partners with difficult and complex claims situations.

 

Recently, we encountered a situation on a homeowner's claim involving a sump pump back-up. To set the stage, this particular client had purchased a separate endorsement on their policy for back-ups of sewers and drains. The endorsement covers water damage associated with sewer and drain back-ups. (Click here to learn more about the importance of this endorsement.)

 

Due to the unique plumbing used for this particular sump pump, the back-up not only caused water damage in the basement around the sump, but on the exterior of the home as well. A pipe from the sump pump leading out of the house began to leak. That water landed on the ground, and then ran directly in through a basement window causing more damage to drywall.

 

The carrier paid for the damages from the water that backed up through the sump, but they denied the other damage as being caused by surface water. Surface water coming into your home is not covered by this endorsement. They said that once any water hit the ground, no matter it’s source, it was considered surface water and damage caused by it was excluded.

 

Through a thorough investigation, I was able to determine that the exterior water damage was in fact due to the sump pump back-up. Due to our closer examination and review with the carrier, we were able to get that denial reversed and have the additional water damage covered.

 

Reviewing complex claims with our Business and Personal Insurance clients is a value added service that R&R is able to provide. With 20 years of claims experience, as well as a legal degree, I understand the importance of walking through difficult situations step-by-step to provide our clients the proper coverage.

 

Disclaimer:

Please note that R&R Insurance Services, Inc. is not a law firm. Brian Bean does not provide legal representation to clients of R&R Insurance Services, Inc., or to R&R Insurance Services, Inc.

Topics: Personal Insurance, Real Life Examples, Resource Center